Thankful Part 5....and 6

Here are the final ten things I am thankful for this November:

21. Having all of my Christmas decorations out, tree up, and a house that smells of cinnamon and pine.

22. A miscalculation in my sick time, resulting in SEVEN weeks off next year to spend with my baby (no, I am not pregnant...yet)...paid.

23. Enjoying running again, I hit a wall there for awhile, but I do love it again. Not during, mind you, but after.

24. Two weeks off at Christmas time to spend relaxing! Ahhhh....much needed.

25. Spending New Year's Eve at the Ritz Carlton~ Dove Mountain here in Tucson, with some wonderful friends.

26. It is finally UGG boot weather!

27. The holidays meaning old friends are coming home to visit their families, and I get to visit with them, too!

28. Being able to have snowball fights, make snow angels (with fake snow, of course), and convince my preschoolers that the smoke detector is Santa "watching" them, so they had better behave.

29. Discovering some of my grandmother's old ornaments in all of the Christmas decorations she passed down to me. The memories are so sweet.

30. Today being the last day of Movember...I can't wait to kiss my clean-shaven husband again.

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. -Audrey Hepburn

Thankful Part 4.

The next five things I am thankful for this month are:


16. A private speech practice that is growing, and allows me to meet so many new and interesting people each day.


17. This Thanksgiving, Rick's parents and sister are coming to my parents' house for dinner. We all get to be together all day long! I can't think of a better day.


18. A husband that misses me when I am away, and tells me so.


19. Making a new friend that is running the Pf Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon with me in January.


20. Having the most wonderful neighbors to share events, laughter, junk food-eating, and make so many exciting plans with.

Road Trip.

This past week my dear friend, Tola, and I traveled to San Diego for the American Speech and Hearing Association convention. It was held at the San Diego Convention center and there were thousands of other Speech Language Pathologists there. I have always wanted to go ever since I was in graduate school, so I jumped at the chance when it was held so close this year!

Tola and I left Wednesday afternoon. The six hour drive wasn't bad, we made good time, and stopped at a gas station with the best candy selection I have ever seen!

We checked in to our hotel, which was right across from the Mission Bay Park, and ate at Fat Fish {formerly Gringo's}. It was happy hour specials so we ate a ton and had two margaritas each for only $24! It is awesome going out during the week!

We went to bed early and got up early to hit the convention. We saw a ton of research posters, booths with awesome products and resources, and even a job recruiter from Maui! Sign. Me. Up!

After we were exhausted from the convention, I did a quick 8 miler around the bay. It was one of the best and fastest runs I have had in a long time. The ocean air and cool temperatures make everything better. Tola went to the beach while I was running, and when I got out of the shower, a delicious caramel brulee latte from Starbucks was waiting for me, with a side of caramel Bailey's. YUM..... that is a good friend!!!

Later, we met up with some of Tola's friends from grad school for happy hour down in the Gaslamp District. I feasted on bar food and Guinness, and cosmopolitans, and got to watch cute Tebow win one for the Broncos.

The next morning we had breakfast at the Broken Yolk on Garnet, I had the chorizo and eggs which was good, but I don't think anywhere compares to Tucson's Mexican food. We also got to visit the beach and so a little shopping before we hit up the convention again.

San Diego was great.. but I was so happy to be home to my sweet husband and our big bed. I even had a lovely welcome home gift waiting for me. I think he missed me. He is the cutest.

The rest of the weekend was spent eating, a Dance, Dance, Revolution dinner party at the neighbors' {SO fun}, a long run, shopping, and buying the awesomest new mattress that was delivered today. I cannot wait to sleep on that thing tonight!!!

Grateful.

On my run tonight, I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to live in Tucson. There are many reasons, and one being the outdoor community we have here, and the opportunities to enjoy the beautiful weather. After I saw my private speech client after work, I was not feeling the treadmill. It gets dark so early these days, and by the time I got home and headed out for my run, I would have hardly any daylight left. So, I looked online, and found the Santa Cruz River Walk. Apparently, when Europeans arrived in what is now Arizona, the Santa Cruz River had wide banks suitable for irrigation; over time its banks have been narrowed and contained and are now lined by River Park. These days it's a dry wash, or arroyo, most of the year, but sudden summer thunderstorms and rainwater from upper elevations can turn it into a raging river in a matter of hours. It's a favorite spot for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. The park has a bike path, restrooms, drinking fountains, and sculptures created by local artists. It was less than a mile from my client's house. Perfect. 

I got my run in with daylight to spare. I am so fortunate to live in a town with a trail and path system that practically circles the entire city. No matter where I am during the day, where my private clients take me, there will be a path waiting nearby. I am so grateful. 

My toes and arches no longer hurt, either. I am so happy I kept pushing through and didn't give up when my body was fighting against all this running. I am still scared about the marathon, but the more "long" runs I get in, the less terrifying it becomes. Happy Running!!

i wish there could have been

an invention that bottled

up a memory,

like perfume,

and it never faded,

never got stale.

then whenever i wanted to

i could uncork the bottle

and live the memory all over again.

daphne du maurier-rebecca

Thankful Part 3.

Numbers 11 through 15 of what I am super thankful for this month:


11. Making traditions with my friends and family for the holidays. There are few things in life that get me as excited as making ornaments, Movember, and secret Santa.


12. Being able to plan out trips months in advance with people my husband nor I ever get tired of spending time with.


13. My grandmother thriving these days in her assisted living, and my mother getting a reprieve from having to take care of her every moment of every day.


14. Having snow on Mount Lemmon a mere 45 minute drive from my home in the desert.


15. My sweet husband fixing me tea every night to sip in bed. Even if he is already tucked in when he remembers I have not yet had it. Love.

Birthdays!!

This weekend was a celebration of birthdays! Rick's Aunt and Uncle were in town for Nascar, which also happens to be his Uncle Manny's birthday weekend, and our friends Jill and Jason also celebrated birthdays this past week. I love having another excuse to get together with everyone we love!

I had Friday off for Veteran's Day {God Bless America and our service men and women}, and Rick's parents, Aunt and Uncle from Cleveland, and his sister Samantha and her friend Starr all came down for a quick visit. We had lunch at Eegee's {amazing sandwiches and ranch fries} and head down to Sonoita to the wineries. We always have a great time down there- beautiful scenery, wine tasting, cool weather, and a picnic of wine, cheese, and other treats at the end. What could be better??

After our trip to Sonoita, we came back to Tucson, met for a drink at the hotel bar where everyone was staying, and headed to Silver Saddle Steakhouse for dinner. I swear- all I ever do is eat.

The next morning we woke up, had breakfast at the hotel, and headed up to Phoenix, After a mishap of Rick's parents' car overheating, we finally made it in time to do some food and beverage shopping for Nascar the next day, get Jill's birthday present, and change before we had to meet everyone up at Yardhouse to celebrate Jason and Jill's birthdays {both November 9th}. There were 17 of us- which makes it difficult to catch up with everyone, but it is so nice to see everybody. I ate a ton again- Rick and I always share the macaroni and cheese squared and the BBQ Bacon Burger.... soooooo goooood!!! Jill loved her present, we got her a dope Michael Kors wallet that I have now added to MY Christmas list, which is so random because her loving husband got her a beautiful Michael Kors purse for her birthday! Great minds.... We had a fun time of eating drinking, and catching up with everyone.

The next morning Rick got up super early to meet all the boys and head to the track at 7 am!! Yes - that's 7 in the morning. The race doesn't even start until 1 pm, but there was much tailgating, grilling, and beer ponging to be done. Nascar Sunday is something Rick looks forward to every year, and he doesn't want to waste a moment of it!

Every year on Nascar Sunday, I get together with some of the wives of the boys that are at the race. I am so thankful to have to them, and that we always have a great time while our husbands are off doing whatever it is that they do. We have started a tradition of making ornaments from the past year for our Christmas tree. We buy the ornament frames, and cut out pics, and make laminated ornaments of hilarious photos. I look forward to it every year. We met at Sandbar at Desert Ridge, where I gorged on a chimichanga with jalapeno cream cheese and chips and salsa, and got to look at this adorable face the entire time.

After lunch, we headed to Ann's house and made a million ornaments and laughed and made plans for things coming up. There is the Movember party, New Year's Eve, the Tough Mudder, and Ann's birthday in Vegas to celebrate all in the next two months!! I think Ann and I both thrive on the excitement of upcoming events. Cannot. Wait.

We had another meal at Paradise Bakery {salad for me this time - one word: bloated}, went shopping at Dick's sporting goods for stocking stuffers, and finally picked up our crazy husbands after the race. It was a great weekend.

Thankful Part Two.

Things numbered six through ten that I am thankful for this month:


6. My ability to eat whatever I want when I am deep in the throes of training for a marathon.


7. The fact that my body is able to train for a marathon, and training has given me the ability to look at a thirteen miler this weekend as a "easy" day.


8. My health overall, and that I am off all medications that I once needed to feel normal and without infection, so my body can be ready to make a baby.


9. This cold weather that allows me to run outside at any hour of the day, and cuddle up close under blankets with my sweet husband at night.


10. The holidays this month that give me days off of work, and more time to spend with those I love.

it has always been and ever will be

in the crook of your arm i belong.

Brian Andreas

Weekend.

This past weekend was a perfect combination of both lazy and exhausting. I have been having a lot of problems with my arch on my right foot. I ran 9 miles on Wednesday last week, and around the last mile and a half, it felt like a knife was being stabbed into by arch. I hobbled home, and started icing. It hurt so badly to go up on to my toes. I talked the next day with my trainer about it, he suggested I ice and rest it, and head to 'Fleet Feet' to get analyzed. He was concerned about it being plantar fasciitis, which is quite common, but also takes a long time to heal. I was praying that wasn't what was happening, training for a marathon and all.

So, I rested on Thursday, and did boot camp on Friday, staying away from the sprints and the jumps. Otherwise I felt OK. Our Friday night consisted of being lazy, watching DVR, icing, and having pizza and beer for dinner. It was wonderful!

On Saturday morning, we woke up and met our friends and next door neighbors, Josh and Katie, for breakfast and a hike along Saguaro National Monument. It was a beautiful day and I was thinking I was getting off easy, as she is 6 months pregnant and all. Not the case! We drove up to 'Biscuit's Country Cafe' for breakfast {biscuits and gravy, yes, please}, which is owned by the guy that lives across the street from us. It was yummy, and we ate way too much to be going directly out for a hike!

The Saguaro National Monument is a beautiful hike, with lots of cacti, trails, and wildlife! We even saw a desert tortoise. There is a long loop that we took around the park, and there were tons of hills. I mean gigantic mountainous hills! I felt so bad for Katie hiking up those mountains with her 6 month pregnant belly. We all got a little sunburned, but got a great workout, and went for beers, wings, and nachos afterward. I think it was an even trade!



After lunch we headed over to Fleet Feet where I got new custom insoles for my running shoes. The problem is, they need to be broken in, so you can only wear them for an hour or two at a time. Fail. The lady at the store told me I should NOT be running long distances, let alone 18 miles the next day with my injured foot. I was not happy. The Tucson Marathon was only a little over a month away!

The next morning I woke up determined, and excited. My foot felt great, I had iced the whole night before, and I was ready. I headed out for my 18 mile run, not wearing my new insoles, but the ones I had bought for our European adventure. My foot started to slowly hurt on my arch, but the pain peaked at about mile 5 and it never got any worse, so I just kept going. I made it through just fine, with the exception of some crazy toenail damage. My second toes on both feet have developed blisters underneath them, and are destroying my nail. So, I have an appointment with a podiatrist to cut those suckers off! My time on my 18 miler was right at my goal, so I felt OK, but still nervous.

love the views in Tucson...

I was nervous about my feet, my toes, and not having enough training before the Tucson Marathon December 11th. After talking with my friend, speedy, Olympic runner Alex, who said she is running only the half at the Tucson Marathon, and advice from my sweet husband, I have decided to do the half at the Tucson Marathon, and a month later do the Rock and Roll Full Marathon in Phoenix on January 15th. We are going to be in town for my husband to do the Tough Mudder, and the Rock and Roll is the very next day. Perfect!!

After I made this decision, I was able to take a deep breath of sorts. I had only been cramming in the training for this race since the Ragnar, I was not planning on any more races at all, so my training was short and not what I would have loved it to be. Now I have more time, and although I am more relaxed about the time frame, I am still terrified. I think that is exactly what makes it a perfect goal.

one regret,


dear world,


that i am determined


not to have


when i am lying


on my deathbed


is that i did not


kiss you enough.




hafiz

Thankful.

Since it is November and all, for the rest of the month I am going to write something I am thankful for... Here are 5 things I am thankful for, for the first 5 days of this wonderful month, November 2011.


1. My sweet husband, whom I thank God for every single day.


2. My job, which I love, that gives me an opportunity to be meaningful in one way or another, every single day.


3. Living in a city, that I am completely in love with, which also happens to be close enough to visit family and friends as often as we wish. And allowing them to visit often, as well. 


4. Having supportive and loving parents, who have been wonderful examples and inspirations to me throughout my life.


5. Sharing the same dreams and aspirations with my husband for our future. We couldn't be more excited.